Approximately 4 in 10 teacher assistants work part time. However, even among
full-time workers, about 16 percent work less than 40 hours per week. Most
assistants who provide educational instruction work the traditional 9- to
10-month school year. Teacher assistants work in a variety of
settings—including preschools, child care centers, and religious and
community centers, where they work with young adults—but most work in
classrooms in elementary, middle, and secondary schools. They also work
outdoors supervising recess when weather allows, and they spend much of
their time standing, walking, or kneeling.
Seeing students develop and
gain appreciation of the joy of learning can be very rewarding. However,
working closely with students can be both physically and emotionally tiring.
Teacher assistants who work with special education students often perform
more strenuous tasks, including lifting, as they help students with their
daily routine. Those who perform clerical work may tire of administrative
duties, such as copying materials or typing
Source: Bureau of Labor
Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2006-07 Edition
